Homework

Forty-one parents attended the Math in Focus Parent Information Night on Wednesday!

Some of the "tips for parents" that were shared included what you can expect to see in work that comes home:

• Greater use of visuals and language
• Students will eventually be asked to use the standard algorithms
• Higher level questioning
• Fewer nights of homework
• Fewer problems, but more critical thinking
• It is important to allow your child to do the work independently
• Have your child teach you to give them the opportunity to solidify their learning by "teaching"
• Let homework go back to school incomplete if the child is not understanding so that the teacher can reflect on that
• Write a quick note to the teacher to let them know that the child tried, but was not finding success

Good questions to ask your child about their homework include:

• What do you remember from class?
• What do you think this means?
• Can you show me how to work the problem?
• Can you explain this problem to me?

Parental support and positive attitudes will go along way in helping your child succeed in math!!

Math in Focus Parent Information Night

I hope to see you at the Math in Focus Parent Information Night tomorrow night at 7:00PM at Hooksett Memorial School.  Phyllis Yucatonis, Math in Focus professional development trainer, will be leading parents through some of the concepts and problems that your children will encounter at the different grade levels.

What is mental math and why is it important?

Developing a solid understanding of numbers through concrete materials and visualization helps students become more proficient at mental math.  The video below describes how mental math develops and its importance in becoming proficient in mathematics.

Mark Your Calendars!

What is Rigor?

We tend to talk a lot about rigor in mathematics education, but what exactly is rigor?  There is a common misconception that rigor in mathematics means that something is just more difficult or challenging.  I found a great blog post from mindsteps that I believe describes the rigor that we are working toward with our mathematics education in the Hooksett School District.

What is a Ten Frame?

If you're wondering what a ten frame is and how it can be used to help students develop number sense... watch this video example of a first grade student.

What will Math in Focus look like in the classroom?

Math in Focus is aligned with Common Core State Standards, the new more rigorous standards we are working to meet to ensure our children are competitive both nationally and internationally.

What will you see in the classroom?

Focused Work and Mastery!  Math in Focus introduces fewer topics in each grade, but teaches them deeply and to mastery.  In the past, we have introduced many topics, but have not had the opportunity to go in depth, and ensure our students truly understand concepts to mastery.

Visual and Balanced Approach! Math in Focus is highly visual, following a concrete-to-pictorial-to-abstract progression. 

Focus on Number and Operations!  Math in Focus is sequenced in a way that ensures students develop a strong number sense.  Students spend much of the first half of the year studying number.  This is necessary to move on to more complex and abstract thinking.


Problem Solving Using Model-Drawing!  The Singapore approach utilizes model-drawing strategies to help students solve problems.  The problems utilized in Math in Focus are high quality and complex in nature.

Importance of Attitudes and Metacognition!  The Singapore approach emphasizes the importance of attitude, and the ability to self-monitor while problem solving to achieve success in math.  Students will be learning about perseverance as well!  We know they can spend endless hours on certain things (like video games), so let's build stamina in math as well.  We want our children to be able to think and problem solve - a life skill!

Source: Singapore Math Curriculum Information